title: Lossless hybridization between photovoltaic and thermoelectric devices.
abstract: The optimal hybridization of photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) devices has long been considered ideal for the efficient harnessing solar energy. Our hybrid approach uses full spectrum solar energy via lossless coupling between PV and TE devices while collecting waste energy from thermalization and transmission losses from PV devices. Achieving lossless coupling makes the power output from the hybrid device equal to the sum of the maximum power outputs produced separately from individual PV and TE devices. TE devices need to have low internal resistances enough to convey photo-generated currents without sacrificing the PV fill factor. Concomitantly, a large number of p-n legs are preferred to drive a high Seebeck voltage in TE. Our simple method of attaching a TE device to a PV device has greatly improved the conversion efficiency and power output of the PV device (~30% at a 15°C temperature gradient across a TE device).
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan 426-791, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang-Tae
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sun-Mi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Abdullah S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Tazebay
authors.forename: Han-Don
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Um
authors.forename: Jin-Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Sang-Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Jee
authors.forename: Min-Wook
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Su-Dong
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Bongyoung
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Choongho
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Jung-Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee